SurfacePro3Microsoft announced today that it has acquired the technology that powers the Surface Pen from N-Trig, an Israeli startup that has been an instrumental part of developing the the stylus for the Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3.

The pen has proven a surprisingly popular accessory for the tablet line, and has provoked interest from artists like Penny Arcade’s Mike Krahulik, who has been a very public user of the device.

“We can’t wait to show you what we’ll deliver for our Surface Fans in the future,” Microsoft Distinguished Scientist Steve Bathiche said in a blog post announcing the deal. “Digital pens have a ways to go to be as good as pen and paper on some dimensions, and we’ll get there. But more importantly, adding the ability to capture and share the work you do with a digital pen opens up possibilities that traditional pen and paper just can’t match. Today’s investment is another step that will let us push that innovation forward.”

Today’s news comes after months of acquisition rumors surrounding the two companies. Microsoft already owned a stake in the firm, since it invested in four of the company’s funding rounds prior to this deal.

It played a key role in one of the demonstrations at the company’s Build developer conference keynote on Wednesday, too. Composer David William Hearn took the stage to show off his app StaffPad, which allows Windows tablet users – especially those who own a Surface Pro 3 – to write music using the Surface Pen and then have that translated directly into digital music notation.

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